Russia Expects EU Approval of Access to Opal Pipeline in Late October

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia expects the European Commission to approve its long-sought access to the Opal pipeline connecting Nord Stream with Europe's gas transportation network by end of October, Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak said Monday.

"We are now working on obtaining the permit, and we expect that this authorization will be received after our talks by end of October," Novak told Russia's Rossiya 24 broadcaster.

The Opal pipeline connects the Nord Stream pipeline with Europe’s gas transportation network. It runs Russian natural gas across Germany to the Czech Republic.

European restrictions allow Russia's Gazprom energy company to use only 50-55 percent of the pipeline's capacity for Russian natural gas to be delivered across Germany to the Czech Republic. The restrictions are outlined in the European Union’s Third Energy Package which reserves the other half for independent gas suppliers.

Gazprom previously asked the European Commission to exclude Opal from the Third Energy Package rules, fearing that Russian gas deliveries to Europe via Ukraine may be interrupted. European restrictions permit Russia's Gazprom energy company only 50-55 percent of the pipeline for Russian natural gas to be delivered across Germany to the Czech Republic.

The restrictions are outlined in the European Union’s Third Energy Package which reserves the other half for independent gas suppliers.